Burial vault



NOV- 3 Q i W. E. SHEENE BURIAL VAULT Fil'ed May 7. 1924 3 Sheet-Sheet 1 Nov. 3 1925.

1,560,107 w. E. SHEENE BURIAL VAULT Filed May 7' 1924 3 sheets sheet 2 nun-nu."

. 4 IIIIIIIIII'II Nov. 3 1925.

W. E. SHEENE BURIAL VAULT Filed May '7. 1924 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 III/I/I/L eltbozmg I phalt mastic, particularly as described in my Patentecl Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES- A 1,560,107 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. SHEEN E, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE ASPHALT GRAVE VAULT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

BURIAL VAULT.

Application filed May 7, 1924. Serial No. 711,519.

The burial vault which is the subject of the invention is of the type used to enclose a single coflin or casket to be buried in the ground, the object being to exclude moisture and air, thus preserving the body and the casket indefinitely.

The essentials of such a structure are therefore that it shall be absolutely n.ois ture-proof and air-tight, and that it shall have sufficient rigidity not only to support its own weight and withstand the stresses incident to moving, but to resist the pressures to which it is subjected under burial conditions, as represented by the weight of several feet of earth supported on the top'or cover of the vault.

To this end the walls and cover of the vault are constructed of asphalt or similar bitumen mixed with a filler forming an asco-pending application No. 711,518,, supported and reinforced by a suitableframe. The line of division between the above-mentioned application and the present application depends on the distinction that the claims in this application relate to the reinforcing frame and similar metallic features embedded in asphalt, but the claims in this application do not specify the features of the asphaltic material, the constituents thereof, or its properties, these being covered in the co-pending application above cited, which relates to an as halt grave vault rather than to the rein orcing features thereof embedded in asphalt, as specified in the claims of the present application.

The mastic is not only moisture-proof and hard and completely nonfluid at the temperatures and pressures of the earth to which it is subjected, so that it protects the frame which is embedded in .the mastic, the profrom the frame work,'which' is thus pro tected from failure b corrosion.

The object of the rame is to support the impermeable to the atmosphere, but it is main stresses referred to, maintaining thegeneral shape of the structure, the masti'c serving to enclose and protect the frame and having sufficient hardness not only to adhere permanently to the frame, but to span the meshes and resist and support the pressure of the earth on the vault.

An important feature of the invention resides in the sealing means whereby the joint between the cover and the top edges of the walls of the vault is permanently closed against the entrance of moisture, and is made air tight. The mannerof covering what would otherwise be the exposed edges of the cover and vaulton each side of the joint is of particular interest. y

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated a burial vault embodying the features of my invention in the preferred form. v

In the drawing- Figure 1 -'s a vertical central section taken longitudinally of the vault, showing the same closed and buried in the ground, a casket being shown in dotted lines within the vault. I I

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the cover reinforcement or frame.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3, 3 of Figure 2 extending along the edge of the cover frame or reinforce.

Figure 4 is a top plan of the vault frame or reinforce. Y I

. Figure 5 is a side elevatiorrof the same.

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 6, 6 of Figure 4, the section 6 being broken away intermediately and having the central portion removed for convenience of illustration, and the top' portion of the section being likewise broken away and removed for the same purpose.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the vault closed ready for burial; Figure 8 is a fragmentary section on the line 8,8 of Figure 7 showing the meeting, edges ofthe vault and cover, and-particularly illustrating the manner of sealing the closure. Figure 9 is a similar view on the line 8, 8 showing corresponding edge portions of 10 the cover spaced apart prior to closing and supplied with sealing material preparatory to the sealing operation.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, the containershown includes a vault 1 in the form of a rectangular elongated box or casing open at the top and formed of asphalt mastic or similar material by molding, and closed at the top by means of a cover 3 shown -in the form of a flat slab or plate also of molded asphalt or asphalt mastic, the vault being reinforced by means of a steel frame 4 and the cover 3 being likewise rein forced by means of a frame 5. The view designated as Figure 1 shows a casket 2 enclosed in the vault under burial conditions.

The vault frame or reinforce most specifir cally illustrated ineFigures 4, 5 and 6 is particularly adapted for supporting the cover which is subjected to the greatest pressure, due to the several feet of loose earth with which the grave is filled and which transmits to the cover a pressure almost equivalent to a similar weight of liquid. As the pressure is mainly on the cover the stresses to which the vault is subjected are in the main vertical stresses, the vault reinforce therefore comprises a considerable number of uprights adapted to resist compression or vertical pressure. More particularly the vault frame, as shown, consists of four transverse angle irons 6 which extend across the bottom and are turned up the sides, forming eight uprights 7. The frame also includes two upright angles 8 at the ends which are turned under the bottom and cut away as to the flange at 9 where they are passed over the respective .transverse members 6 near the ends, and the uprights 7 at the sides are connected by two longitudinal angle irons 10, one extending along each side near the top.

In addition to the angle irons referred to, the reinforcing frame comprises tension members which may be described as heavy wire or fine rods 12 extending longitudinallv and transversely of the vault and spaced about two inches apart. Each of these tension members extends entirely around the vault inside the angles, being preferably. spot-welded or otherwise secured at the intersections as indicated at 13, Figure 6. The frame also included vertical tension members 14 of similar material between the upright angles ;7. These vertical tension members 14 in theform shown being placed between the vertical uprights 7 and being, as shown, discontinued short of the horizontal angles 10 and intersecting only the longitudinal tension members 12 to which they may be secured in any suitable manner.

These members are, as shown, merely turned horizontally at 15 at the bottom and discontinued an inch or two from the sides instead of being extended across the vault.

The bottom structure also includes a flat plate of thin sheet steel 16 which rests on the transverse angles 6 and is turned up at the edges at 17. In the finished structure the flat area of the plate at 16 forms the inside facthe vault wall.

it unnecessary to overcome the adhesion ofthe mold to the bottom of the vault.

The cover reinforce illustrated in perspective in Figure 2 consists of-a frame composed of angle irons extending entirely around the longitudinal sides and ends at 18 and 19, and other angle irons 20 placed comparatively close together extending transversly and spaced six or seven inches, the frame also including tension members 21 in the form of rods or wire, as described in connection with the vault, which tension me] .bers extend longitudinally and transversely, being preferably spaced about two inches apart and being secured to the flanges of the angle irons 18 and 19, which flanges are turned inwardly, the method of attachment being preferably by spot-welding as indicated. The reinforcing structure shown also includes eyes 23 which are secured to the frame as shown in Figure 2, consisting in the form shown each of a. piece of heavy wire formed in two oppositely disposed Us having one leg in common, one U-shaped member 24 being hooked under one of the transverse angles 20 and the other 23 being turned up, so that it projects from the cover when molded, as illustrated in Figure 7. The cover is more heavily reinforced than any other part of the vault to support the Weight of earth thereon, the cover reinforce being the only part of the structure which is subject to considerable transverse stresses.

In Figures 1, 8 and 9 I have illustrated the manner of sealing the vault which is regarded as an important feature of the invention.

In the form shown the top edge of the upright walls of the vault is provided with a rib or tongue 26 which as shown is of semicircular cross-section, this form being selected because of the convenience in molding and drawing. This rib preferably extends entire-1y around the vault, and as shown'is placed in the centre of the top of The cover, as shown, is of over-all transverse and longitudinal dimensions equal to the corresponding outside dimensions of the vault, and is grooved at 27, the groove being of cross-sea tion similar to that of the rib 26 and similarly and correspondingly placed, so that when the cover is in position, the rib 26 enters and substantially fills the groove 27. It will also'be noted that there is a thin band Or plate 29 extending entirely around the top edge of "the vault wall on the outside, the plate extending above the wall. in .the form shown substantially the height of the rib 26, though the exact height is immaterial. This rib may be fastened in i any suit-able manner. As shown its lower edge is bent at right angles, forming a flange 30, and the flange is set into the mastic, so that the body of the plate 29 lies flat against the outer surface of the wall and the plate extends above the wall, forming a receptacle or channel on top of the vault wall between the plate and the rib 26. In closing the vault the groove 27.

. in the cover is filled with comparatively soft above and below, so as to eliminate any and asphalt or tar or other suitable adhesive,

and the channel 31' between the plate 29 and the rib 26 is filled with similar material 32. When the cover is placed in'position the weight of the cover causes the sealing material in both instances to be displaced, and to flow from the groove and the channel, so

that it forms a continuous seal, adhering to terial assumes what may be termed a T sec' tion completely covering the joint externally and extending beyond the joint both all chance of the entrance of moisture or the escape of fumes or the entrance of air into the vault. v

The structure having thus been fully described, the nature and manner of using the same will be easily understood. I have thus described specifically and in detail a single embodiment of myinvention in order that the nature and operation of the same may terms herein are used descriptively rather than in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

the ground, the same consisting of a vault and a cover member, an upright plate secured to the vault wall near but below the top and extending above the top of the vault wall forming. a receptacle for fluid sealing material, the platebeingso flexible, as to" be the vault and be forced up above the meeting edges of the wall and cover, providing a complete covering overlyingthe joint.

2. A vault adapted to enclose a casket and I to be buried in the ground, the same having side and bottom walls of asph'altic material and a reinforcing frame embedded in the asphalt, the frame consisting of continuous transverse flanged steel members extending across the bottom and turned up at the ends, so that they extend vertically upthe sides,

flanged steel members placed vertically at the ends and turned under the bottom to cross one of the transverse members, tension members crossing the uprights to support the intermediate portion of the walls, and a cover of heavymolded asphalt suitably reinforced, resting on the top edges of the side walls. I

- 3. A vault adaptedto enclose a casket and to be buried in the ground, the same having side and bottom walls of asphaltic material and a reinforcing frame embedded in the asphalt, the frame consistingof continuous transverse flanged steel members extending across the bottom and turned up at the ends so that they extend vertically up the sides, flanged steel members placed vertically at the ends and turned under the bottom to cross one of the transverse members, tension members crossing the uprights to support the intermediate portion of the-walls, flanged steel members connecting the uprights at the top, and a metal plate lining .the bottom of the vault, the same being separate from the transverse frame members and having the edges turned, forming anchoring members,

which members are tic material.

4. An asphalt vault having a reinforcing frame embedded in the asphalt and a metallic plate separate from the frame lining the bottom of the vault and having anchoring portions embedded in. the asphalt.

5. An asphalt vault having a reinforcing frame embedded in the asphalt'and a metalembedded in the asphallic plate lining the bottom; of the vault and be clearly understood; however, the specific.

havlng its edges embedded in the asphalt.

'6. An asphalt vault having a reinforcing frame-embedded in the asphalt and a metal lic plate separate from the frame lining the bottom of the vault and having its edges v flanged and embedded in the asphalt.. 1. A container for a casket to be buried in 7. A container for a casket to be buried in the ground, the same cons1sting of a vault and a cover composed of asphaltic material,

the vault having a reinforcing frame com prising upright metal beams, and the cover aving'a reinforce consisting of a frame of. metal beams, transverse metal beams, and a mesh of tension members intersecting the beams.

8. A burial container comprising a vault and a, cover ofasphaltic material, the cover having a reinforcin frame and eyes with meansengaging the rame members and pro- Hncludingupright compression members to support the cover.

10. A container for a casket to be buried in the ground, the same consisting of a. vault and a cover, the vault having a flexible plate attached to the side walls slightly below the top and extending above the top wall and around the periphery of the vault and serv-. ing as a receptacle for semi-fluid sealing material, the cover being of lateral. dimension to fit closelywithin the upwardly projecting plate, the placing of the cover serving to set up pressure in the sealing material, deflecting the plate-from the side of the vault, permitting the sealing material to flow downward between the vault and the plate, the pressure also serving to force the sealing material upward between the plate and the cover.

11. A container for a casket to be buried in the ground, the same consisting of a vault and a cover, the vault having a flexible plate attached to the side walls slightly below the top and extending above the top wall and around the periphery of the vault, and serving as a receptacle for semi-fluid sea-ling material, the cover being of lateral dimension to fit closely within the upwardly pro jecting plate, the placing of the cover serv ing to set up pressure in the sealing material deflecting the plate from the side of the vault, permitting the sealing material to flow downward between the vault and the plate, the pressure also serving to force the sealing material upward between the plate and the cover, one of the container members having a tongue and the other having a groove fitting therein, the tongue and groove co-operating with the plate assisting in setting up the necessary pressure in the sealing material.

12. A vault and cover of asphalt and a seal therefore of T shaped cross-section,'the shank of the T extending between the vault and cover, and the arms of the T overlying the edges of the vault and cover.

13. A container for a casket to be buried in the ground, the same consisting of a vault and a cover member, the vault and cover having a co-operating tongue and groove extending around the entire periphery, an upright platesecured to the vault wall near but below the top and extending above the top of the vault wall forming a receptacle for fluid sealing material.

14. A container for a casket to be buried in the ground, the same consisting of a vault and, a cover composed of asphaltic material, a reinforcing frame for the vault and a reinforcing frame for the cover, comprising spaced metal beams embedded in the asphalt a rrcll adapted to support the weight of the S01 15. A container for a casket to be buried in the ground, the same consisting of a vault and a cover composed of asphalt material, a reinforcing frame for the vault and a reinforcing frame for the cover, comprising spaced metal beams embedded in the asphalt and adapted to support the weight of the soil, the frame including upright compression members in the sides of the vault supporting the cover.

Signed by me at Baltimore, Maryland, this 2nd day of May, 1924.

WILLIAM E. SHEENE. 

